Sunlover Reef Cruises - Great Barrier Reef Cruises

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the greatest natural wonders of the world.

Located just off the Tropical North Queensland coast of Cairns, Australia, the reef is an awe-inspiring underwater display of vividly coloured corals and more than 10,000 assorted and unique marine species.

Sunlover Reef Cruises, pride themselves on delivering and introducing hundreds of thousands of visitors to the magic of the Great Barrier Reef through our express daily luxury cruises from Cairns.

Their staff love the reef and love showing it off, and would love to show you too.

Sunlover tours on offer:
Moore Reef Cruise
2 Day Reef and Kuranda Adventure
2 Day Reef and Daintree Experience

The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef eco systems and is the only living organic collective visible from outer space. The Great Barrier Reef is located of the East coast of Australia and is one of the 7 natural wonders of the world and in 1981 was declared a world heritage listed area.

The Great Barrier Reef eco system is approximately 2300km long stretching from Bundaberg in southern Queensland all the way through to the tip of Cape York at the far northern end of

Australia. The reef eco system is littered with islands and coral sand cays and more than 3000 individual reefs that cover nearly 350 000 square kilometres.

How are Corals Formed?

Corals are the building blocks that make up the reefs and sand cays that are found throughout the Great Barrier Reef. Reefs and cays are large masses of limestone made from skeletons of thousands of marine animals.

Coral is made up of individual coral polyps, these tiny living creatures about the size of a match head join together by splitting from one to two then from two to four and so on. This process is known as coral budding. These coral polyps are the main marine animals that contribute to the reefs formation. Coral polyps are able to absorb calcium carbonate and then convert it to limestone and with the assistance of plants living inside them, they are able to lay the limestone down below their bodies as a compressed hard

form of limestone. These polyps once joined together in colonies create the wonderful array of coloured coral formations.

Varieties of Coral species

These coral formations come in various types such as fan, antler or branching, brain, vase, mushroom and plate type corals. The Ideal environment for coral to grow in is shallow warm water where there is water movement, lots of sun light and where the water is salty. The various types of coral formations also grow at different rates with many taking hundreds of years to form.

However these spectacular coral formations do have natural predators. The Crown of Thorns Starfish is one of those natural predators. Over a 15 year period, Crown of Thorns Starfish outbreaks can go through various stages. Sunlover Reef Cruises has implemented a monitoring and eradication programme to limit the impact that these natural predators have on this beautiful environment.

Varieties of Marine Fish Life

The Great Barrier Reef ecosystem contains a wide variety of different marine fish life and it is estimated that this ecosystem contains at least 1500 of the worlds 13,000 species of marine fish life which equates to just over 10 percent of the worlds specie population. Research indicates that there can be as many as 200 different species of fish life just over one hectare of the Great Barrier Reef.

Marine fish come in a vast variety of different colours, and it is these beautiful colours that we use to distinguish between the various types of fish. Many varieties of marine fish use their colours to act as a warning signal to other marine fish that they are poisonous. Marine fish can also use their colours as camouflage, predators for instance, often use their camouflage to ambush its prey.

We would now like to introduce you to come of the most beautiful marine fish that you are likely to see on your day out with Sunlover Reef Cruises.

Clown Anemonefish

Anemonefish more commonly known as ‘clownfish’ live in close proximity to large sea anemones. Clownfish use the anemones for protection from predators by hiding in amongst the tentacles of its host anemone. The Clownfish in return protects the anemone from butterfly fish which feed off the ends of the anemone’s tentacles. There are about six different species of clownfish and there behaviour varies slightly between the various species.

Scientists theorise that these Clownfish protect them selves from the anemone’s by smearing anemone mucus over themselves which is believed to trick the anemone into thinking the fish is part of them. Clownfish are generally found in pairs of adults and several juveniles.

Angelfish

Angelfish are closely related to butterfly fish and share a variety of similar characteristics such as, scales that almost extend onto the median firm that look like teeth. However, they are usually identifiable by the presence of a spine near the corner of their gill. Angelfish can be quite territorial in behaviour and spend most of their day searching for food. They feed on a variety of different items that include algae, sponges and vertebrates.

Research indicates that Angelfish change sex from female to male and that each male Angelfish defends their territory which is believed to contain between 2 to 5 females. Studies on juvenile Angelfish reveal that their colours change dramatically from the juvenile stage through to adulthood.

Lion Fish

The Lion fish in known to be an active predator which stalks its prey during the night and living under ledges. Most Lionfish are well camouflaged and they use their ability to hide to ambush its prey. Lion fish do contain venom in their spines and it is important not to handle or try to touch these fish.

Damselfish

Damselfish are one of the most abundant species of marine fish life that can be found in almost every part of the Great Barrier Reef. Due to the large variety of Damselfish there is quite a diverse range of colouration and marking that can be found on this species. Also quite diverse is the different behavioural and eating habits between the various types of Damselfish.

This specie of fish is also very territorial particularly among algae

eating variety of Damselfish. Algae eating Damselfish are generally have drab colour patterns compared with the brightly colours Damselfish who feed on plankton. During the reproduction phase of the Damselfish the female will lay the eggs on a hard coral rock surface and once laid it is the male that returns to protect the eggs from predators until they hatch, which usually takes around 14 days.

Wrasse

The wrasse family of fish are quite diverse and come in many sizes and forms. Wrasse are well known for their special jaw structure which consists of a second set of jaws located beneath their throat called pharyngeal jaw apparatus. They use this special jaw structure for processing their food much like humans use blending machines.

Wrasses are also known for changing sexes from female to male,

this change is also usually accompanied by changes in their colouration. This species of marine fish are considered carnivores, feeding on fish or invertebrates. Commonly seen at Sunlover Reef Cruises Outer Great Barrier Reef site is the Giant Maori Wrasse seen here on this page.

Surgeonfish – Tangs

This species of marine fish derives its name from spines located on each side of their tail base. Surgeonfish use these spines as defensive weapons during territorial disputes. This species is commonly found in schools and the more defensive type of Surgeonfish.

Their feeding habits vary between the between the various types of Surgeonfish with some dieting on benthic algae, detritus that

falls on algae and some on zooplankton. Recent studies indicate that this species of marine fish have similar systems to termites and use a specialised symbiotic bacteria living within their digestive system to break down the algae.

What you can do to look after the great barrier reef

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the 7 natural wonders of the world and therefore we all should try our best to preserve this great natural beauty. Whenever you visit the Great Barrier Reef you should aim to leave the environment with out leaving any trace of your visit.

Together with Sunlover Reef Cruises we can make a difference by looking after the Great Barrier Reef and help preserve and protect the marine life that calls this ecosystem their home.

Listed below are some ways you can contribute to the Great Barrier Reef’s protection and preservation:

Observe the marine life in its natural environment. Please do not touch or try to handle them whilst diving or snorkelling.
Avoid touching on standing on the coral while snorkelling or diving.
When diving secure your dive equipment.
While snorkelling and diving try to avoid your fins touching or stirring up the sediment on the ocean floor.
Dispose of all rubbish in the bins provided around the vessel and pontoon.
When applying sunscreen ensure that your skin has absorbed the liquid,
Please use the toilets located onboard the vessel.
When you return home after your Outer Great Barrier Reef cruise tell at least one friend what you learnt about protecting the reef.

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